Method in making shoes with a wedge heel and stiffener



y 5, 1948- BosTocK v METHOD IN MAKING SHOES WITH A WEDGE HEEL AND STIFFENER Filed Ma 9, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 //i/ vewroe a //I/V 3067 067" July 6, 1948. 1. BosTo 2,444,493

METHOD IN MAKING S 5 WITH A WEDGE HEEL AND Filed May 9, 1945 STIFFENER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Avvawrbn v 5 /A/V 505mm J Patented July 6, 1948 METHOD IN MAKIN WEDGE HEEL G SHOES WITH A AND STIFFENER Ian Bostock, Stafford, England Application May 9, 1945, Serial No. 592,753

In Great Britain May 4, 1944 Section 1, Public Law Patent expires 1 Claim. 1

This invention relates to the manufacture of boots and shoes, and especially to the manufacture of wedge heel shoes.

According to the invention, a last incorporating a wedge heel former integral with the back part of the last is used in the construction of a heel having the upper and heel cover incorporated in one unit, so that when the last is withdrawn a wedge heel occupies the space vacated by the former. The wedge heel can be fastened to the insole, inside counter, and lining overlay by adhesives, and a sock cemented down on these parts.

In order that the present invention may be clearly understood, the same will now be more fully described with reference to the example illustrated in the accompanying drawings:

Figures 1 and 2 represent the last in side elevation and rear elevation respectively;

Figure 3 represents the finished shoe partly in elevation but chiefly in longitudinal vertical sec" tion;

Figure 4 is a rear view of the shoe, half in section; and

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the wedge in position.

The last is of normal construction except as regards the part below the dotted line AB in Figure 1.

In Figures 3 to 5, C indicates the upper, D the heel cover, E the wedge heel mounted on a leather base F which is secured to the insole I, a sock G covering the lining portion H and overlay, the wedge heel E and insole I (see Figs. 4 and 5); S indicates the stiffener, and J and R designate lining portions over the counter S.

Figure 5 shows the counter lining J with the lining portion H secured to the heel E.

The upper is constructed with the wedge heel cover, so that the completed shoe suggests a conventional wedge heel made over a conventional last. The incorporation of the upper and heel cover in one unit necessitates alterations in the stifiener and lining depth, so that the upper unit encloses the special last having a wedge heel former, just as the normal upper encloses the orthodox last. The method of manufacture may follow any of the well known processes, called stuck-on, machine sewn, or Welted, the departure from the usual methods occurring at the end of the manufacturing process, when upon withdrawing the last, the Wedge heel proper is placed inside the shoe and occupies the space vacated by the wedge heel former of the last.

The heel face in contact with the foot is cupped former, adhesively fastening 690, August 8, 1946 May 4, 1964 over and is secured to the waist of the heel, thereby affording additional anchorage. The whole is firmly secured by cementing down a leather sock of conventional shape.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

In the manufacture of articles of footwear such as boots and shoes, the method comprising the steps of preparing a blank incorporating an upper and heel cover in one unit, providing a last incorporating a wedge heel former integral therewith at the back part of said last, applying to said last said blank a lining and a counter extending below the wedge heel former and said blank, applying an insole to the bottom face of said last, lasting said blank over said insole and securing it thereto, applying an outsole thereto and securing it in place, removing said last and inserting a, wedge heel in the space provided by said heel wedge said wedge heel to said insole and lining, applying and fastening a lining overlay to said Wedge heel by adhesive, and cementing a sock over said insole heel and overlay.

IAN BOSTOCK.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 966,340 Little Aug. 2, 1910 1,120,489 Hilgert Dec. 8, 1914 1,675,206 Bell June 26, 1928 2,309,775 Levitt Feb. 2, 1943 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 25,619 Great Britain Mar. 28, 1907 OTHER REFERENCES Atlas Union Shoe Co. (Brit), 549,812, Dec. 8, 1942. 

